Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said that the welfare of the people of Balochistan is their  first priority.

Chairing an important meeting on the affairs of Balochistan province, in Islamabad, he said the federal government will work together with the provincial government for the development and prosperity of Balochistan.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister reiterated the speedy completion of the process of shifting agricultural tube wells to solar energy in Balochistan.

He said the federal government will provide all possible assistance regarding the transition of agricultural tube wells to solar energy.

The Prime Minister directed to minimize the electricity load shedding in Balochistan until the transition of agricultural tube wells to solar energy so that agricultural production from crops is not affected. He also directed to expedite work on important projects of Prime Minister's South Balochistan Package.

The Prime Minister further said that equal opportunities for education and employment are being provided to the youth of the province so that the people of Balochistan continue to play an important role in the development of the country.

He expressed hope that the new provincial cabinet led by the Balochistan Chief Minister will play its role in solving the problems of the province and putting it on the path of development.

Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday underlined the need to promote business and trade ties with Bosnia and Herzegovina by opening banks, trading in local currencies, and promoting bilateral barter trade.                

He was talking to Ambassador of Bosnia & Herzegovina Emin Cohodarevic, who called on him in Islamabad today.

The President said Pakistan's ties with Bosnia & Herzegovina span over almost three decades and the two countries should continue bilateral engagements and interactions to further explore the avenues of cooperation in the areas of mutual interest.

The Ambassador said his country wants to deepen ties with Pakistan in the fields of economy, security, and culture.

He highlighted the vast scope for economic cooperation for Pakistani businesses in different industries in Bosnia & Herzegovina, including food, tourism, and textile.

The Ambassador solicited Pakistan's support for Bosnia and Herzegovina's draft resolution on Srebrenica in the United Nations General Assembly.   The President responded that Pakistan would favourably examine Bosnia's request. He added that Pakistan stands in solidarity with the victims of 1995 tragedy in Srebrenica.

The Ambassador also extended the invitation to the President to visit Bosnia & Herzegovina to strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries.

Washington: Pakistan and United States on Monday reaffirmed shared determination to contribute to both regional and global security and stability.

The commitment was expressed by officials of both countries during the Pakistan-U.S. Counterterrorism Dialogue that was held in Washington DC.

It was co-chaired by Additional Foreign Secretary for the UN and OIC, Ambassador Syed Haider Shah, and US Department of State Coordinator for Counterterrorism, Ambassador Elizabeth Richard.

Discussions centered on the counterterrorism landscape in the region, with a focus on areas of mutual interest.

Pakistani and U.S. senior officials emphasized the importance of expanded counterterrorism collaboration and capacity building, including exchanges of technical expertise and best practices.

They also emphasized strengthening multilateral engagement such as in the UN and the Global Counterterrorism Forum.

The joint statement of the dialogues stated that Pakistan and the United States recognize that a partnership to counter ISIS-Khorasan, TTP, and other terrorist organizations will advance security in the region and serve as a model of bilateral and regional cooperation to address transnational terrorism threats.

It underscored the cooperation between Pakistan and the United States in addressing the most pressing challenges to regional and global security, including Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and ISIS-Khorasan.

Both governments resolved to increase communication on these topics and continue collaboration to detect and deter violent extremism through whole-of-government approaches.